Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced the suspension of his independent presidential campaign and will instead support Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 election.
At 70 years old, Kennedy, a former Democrat and member of the prominent Kennedy family, stated that the principles that led him to leave the Democratic Party now compel him “to throw my support to President Trump.”
During a press conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, Kennedy clarified that he would not entirely withdraw from the race, though he plans to remove his name from the ballot in ten key battleground states.
In a rally in Glendale, Arizona, Trump praised Kennedy, calling him “phenomenal” and “brilliant.” In response, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris said she would work to earn the support of Kennedy’s followers.
As the November election approaches, Kennedy’s polling numbers have dwindled from a peak of double digits amidst diminishing funding and media attention.
Being the son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, his alignment with the Republican presidential candidate has been met with backlash from family members, who previously criticized his utilization of the family name in a Super Bowl commercial.
Kerry Kennedy, his sister, expressed her disappointment, calling her brother’s endorsement of Trump a “betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear.” She described his decision as a “sad ending to a sad story.”
Reflecting on his choice, Kennedy emphasized the personal turmoil it brings to his family, stating, “This decision is agonising for me… But I have the certainty that this is what I’m meant to do. And that certainty gives me internal peace, even in storms.”
He indicated that his support for Trump stems from the former president’s commitment to negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine, saying, “This alone would justify my support for his campaign.” He acknowledged differences on various issues but noted alignment on crucial topics.
Kennedy is removing his name from battleground states where he believes his presence could split the vote for Trump. He has already taken steps to withdraw from Arizona and Pennsylvania. However, election officials have indicated it is too late for him to exit the race in Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin.
Originally launching his campaign in April 2023 “as a Democrat,” Kennedy left the party, citing its shift toward war, censorship, and corruption as fundamental reasons for his departure. He criticized media control and the Democratic Party’s attempts to undermine his candidacy, explaining, “In my heart, I no longer believe I have a realistic path to victory in the face of relentless and systematic censorship.”
Polls previously showed him hovering around 14% – 16% support, but his numbers have since fallen to single digits following Harris’s nomination as the Democratic candidate. During the press conference, he extended an offer to collaborate with Harris.
Democrats reacted to his endorsement with indifference. A senior adviser for the Democratic National Committee remarked that Trump’s gain from Kennedy’s support would be negligible, stating, “Good riddance.”
Kennedy’s campaign became well-known among anti-vaccine advocates as he frequently highlighted his role with a health organization. Recently, anecdotes from his past have drawn media attention, including a peculiar incident involving a bear cub in Central Park.
Rumors have circulated that Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump is a strategic move to secure a position in the next administration if Trump is elected. Trump has indicated openness to Kennedy participating in his future plans.
Analysts suggest that Kennedy’s decision illustrates the challenges within the U.S. two-party system, which often complicates the entry of new ideas and fresh candidates into the political arena.
